Cotonou Agreement proves
Gordon Crawford, School of Politics and International Studies, 4
(http://www.uwc.ac.za/ECSA-SA/docs/crawford%20uwc%20paper%20final.doc)
First, for Sub-Saharan Africa, the most significant agreement has been the Lomé Convention, succeeded by theCotonouAgreement in June 2000. This agreement between the EU and the ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) states includes all 48 countries of sub-SaharanAfrica as signatories. 3 Originally an aid and trade agreement, the political dimension of the Lomé Convention, and nowCotonouAgreement, has become increasingly prominent over the past 15 years. Interestingly, a political element was first introduced in Lomé IV in 1989, preceding the general policy statements, making ‘respect for human rights’ a fundamental clause of the agreement (Article 5). Subsequently, in accordance with the TEU, this political dimension was extended and strengthened in the mid-term review of Lomé IV in 1995. Respect for democratic principles, the rule of law and good governance were added to human rights, with all but good governance becoming ‘essential elements’ of the Convention, backed up by a non-execution or suspension clause (Article 366a) in the event of a serious violation (Crawford 1996: 506-7). Similarly, the Cotonou Agreement affirms ‘respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law’ as essential elements of the Agreement (Article 9), while ‘good governance’ becomes a ‘fundamental and positive element’ (Salama and Dearden 2001: 7). 4
UK CP Solvency—Democracy
Cotonou Agreement provesGordon Crawford, School of Politics and International Studies, 4
(http://www.uwc.ac.za/ECSA-SA/docs/crawford%20uwc%20paper%20final.doc)
First, for Sub-Saharan Africa, the most significant agreement has been the Lomé Convention, succeeded by the Cotonou Agreement in June 2000. This agreement between the EU and the ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) states includes all 48 countries of sub-Saharan Africa as signatories. 3 Originally an aid and trade agreement, the political dimension of the Lomé Convention, and now Cotonou Agreement, has become increasingly prominent over the past 15 years. Interestingly, a political element was first introduced in Lomé IV in 1989, preceding the general policy statements, making ‘respect for human rights’ a fundamental clause of the agreement (Article 5). Subsequently, in accordance with the TEU, this political dimension was extended and strengthened in the mid-term review of Lomé IV in 1995. Respect for democratic principles, the rule of law and good governance were added to human rights, with all but good governance becoming ‘essential elements’ of the Convention, backed up by a non-execution or suspension clause (Article 366a) in the event of a serious violation (Crawford 1996: 506-7). Similarly, the Cotonou Agreement affirms ‘respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law’ as essential elements of the Agreement (Article 9), while ‘good governance’ becomes a ‘fundamental and positive element’ (Salama and Dearden 2001: 7). 4